It's Not You, It's Anxiety!

What if the things making you anxious aren’t actually threats? Jessica explores one of the most important shifts in healing anxiety: learning to separate what is an actual threat from what simply feels threatening because your survival system has been activated. Episode Summary In this episode, Jessica brings together everything covered in the series so far — your biology, modern living, and the m...

Why are you anxious about the specific things that make you anxious? Episode Summary In this episode, Jessica explores the third major cause of anxiety: the messages you learned throughout your life . These messages—spoken and unspoken—teach you what to worry about, what to fear, and who you believe you need to be in order to be safe, accepted, or successful. Jessica explains how these messages co...

Do you ever feel like you just can’t keep up with life? Like there’s too much information, too much stimulation, and too many demands coming at you all the time? Episode Summary In this episode, Jessica breaks down the second major contributor to anxiety: modern living . She explains why our brains and bodies are simply not designed for the pace, volume, and constant input of modern life...and how...

Learn how anxiety is caused by biology: How your survival system is designed to scan for threats, why it misfires, and how understanding the biology of anxiety can immediately reduce shame and self-blame.  This episode helps you understand what’s happening in your body so anxiety stops feeling mysterious, scary, or personal.  Episode Summary In this episode, Jessica breaks down the first and most...

In this powerful bonus episode, Jessica explores something most people have never been told: Anxiety quietly shapes how people make decisions, use power, and treat one another in the world. Changing your anxiety can change the world! Episode Summary Through a moving real-life story, you’ll hear how one woman working through her anxiety didn’t just change her own life — she protected healthcare for...

In this episode, Jessica unpacks one of the most painful and misunderstood parts of anxiety: caring deeply — and worrying — about what other people think.   Episode Summary You’ll learn why this isn’t insecurity, overreacting, vanity, or “people-pleasing gone wrong.” It’s actually one of the most common ways anxiety tries to protect you. Using real-life examples (pumpkin spice lattes, doctors’ app...

If you live with anxiety, chances are you feel guilty all the time. Guilty for disappointing people. Guilty for saying no. Guilty for wanting something different. Guilty for existing.  Episode Summary In this episode, Jessica breaks down the truth about guilt — and it’s not what you think. You’ll learn how guilt is another way anxiety tries to protect you, why it shows up in situations where you’v...

If you struggle with overthinking, obsessing, or spiraling, this episode will help you understand why it happens — and why it’s not your fault.  Episode Summary Jessica explains that overthinking isn’t a random symptom of anxiety; it’s one of the primary ways anxiety tries to protect you from something it believes could go wrong. Using relatable examples — replaying conversations, stressing over w...

Why does your anxiety feel so strong, so persistent, and so much bigger than the things happening in your life?  In today’s episode, Jessica breaks down the real reason anxiety feels overwhelming — and it’s not because you’re dramatic, broken, or “overreacting.” Episode Summary You’ll learn how anxiety’s one job — protecting you from supposed threats — explains overthinking, spiraling, tension, an...

"You should have known better."  "You screwed it up." "You're going to make a mistake again." These are the nasty things anxiety can say to keep you from trusting yourself. When you live with anxiety, trusting yourself can feel impossible. In this episode, Jessica explores how anxiety makes you doubt your judgement and convinces you that you can't make good...

Anxiety is your fault and you should have it figured out by now, right? Nope. Anxiety isn't your fault. You didn't cause it — in fact, you're actually set up for it. Jessica breaks down three core reasons anxiety isn't your fault and helps you finally understand why what your anxiety makes sense. Episode Summary In this clear and compassionate episode, Jessica explains why anxi...

Do you constantly criticize yourself for feeling anxious? You're not alone — but it's not helping. In this episode, Jessica explains why self-criticism actually fuels anxiety, how to recognize your inner critic, and what to do instead to start feeling calmer and kinder toward yourself. Episode Summary People with anxiety are often their own harshest critics. In this compassionate follow-...

Feeling like nothing works for your anxiety? You're not broken — you just haven't been given the right tools. In this episode, Jessica unpacks what anxiety really is, why traditional methods often fall short, and how to start healing in and compassionate and realistic way. Episode Summary In this honest and deeply relatable first episode, Jessica shares her personal experience with anxie...

Have you tried all the things to help with anxiety and nothing has worked? Me too! It's not your fault. In this short introductory episode, Jessica Richards, a counselor and coach, welcomes you into "It's Not You, It's Anxiety" — a podcast created for anyone who's tried the usual solutions for anxiety and still feels overwhelmed, stuck in constant worry, or exhausted....